Reference:
Pardi, N., Hogan, M. J., Porter, F. W., & Weissman, D. (2018). mRNA vaccines — a new era in vaccinology. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 17(4), 261-279. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2017.243
Summary:
mRNA vaccines offer a potent alternative to traditional vaccine approaches due to their rapid development and cost-effective manufacturing. They have shown promise in preventing infectious diseases and treating cancer, with extensive preclinical and clinical data validating their efficacy. Recent technological advances have addressed previous challenges, such as mRNA instability and delivery efficiency. Notably, nucleoside modifications enhance safety and translation efficiency, while lipid nanoparticles improve in vivo delivery. mRNA vaccines have successfully elicited immune responses against various pathogens, including influenza and Zika viruses, and hold potential for personalised cancer therapies. However, human clinical trials have revealed moderate immunogenicity compared to animal models, indicating the need for further research. Overall, mRNA vaccines represent a significant advancement in vaccinology, with the potential to revolutionise future vaccine development.